"Hey Disney" feature on property?

[Pepper's Ghost]

Does anyone have any information about the "Hey Disney" technology coming to the resorts? I just heard about this and find it quite troubling. I know a portion of the population loves to have A-L-E-X-A listening to everything that is said and happens in their homes, but I find that invasion of privacy disturbing. I hate to sound like every old person I've ever known, but I don't understand these younger generations... willing to give up all privacy for small wins. I understand that if you have a phone in your pocket you're already being tracked. I'm not willing to ride in a horse and buggy and don't plan to go off the grid completely, but I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can.

I'm just wondering if "Hey Disney" will be a feature that is not optional, basically built into each room in some way, hard mounted and immobile? I'm hoping it will be a device that can be removed or thrown out the window, but I'd hate to assume. If Disney intends to listen to everything going on in rooms, I think they just told me that I will never stay on property again which will burst my Disney bubble.

 

[bhg469]

Does anyone have any information about the "Hey Disney" technology coming to the resorts? I just heard about this and find it quite troubling. I know a portion of the population loves to have A-L-E-X-A listening to everything that is said and happens in their homes, but I find that invasion of privacy disturbing. I hate to sound like every old person I've ever known, but I don't understand these younger generations... willing to give up all privacy for small wins. I understand that if you have a phone in your pocket you're already being tracked. I'm not willing to ride in a horse and buggy and don't plan to go off the grid completely, but I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can.

I'm just wondering if "Hey Disney" will be a feature that is not optional, basically built into each room in some way, hard mounted and immobile? I'm hoping it will be a device that can be removed or thrown out the window, but I'd hate to assume. If Disney intends to listen to everything going on in rooms, I think they just told me that I will never stay on property again which will burst my Disney bubble.

If disney does introduce something like this, which I have no idea if they are, but they will absolutely have to offer a way to opt out. So many privacy issues if they don't..

 

[DCBaker]

If disney does introduce something like this, which I have no idea if they are, but they will absolutely have to offer a way to opt out. So many privacy issues if they don't..

Disney has said guests will have to opt in to use it.

 

[G00fyDad]

I love the irony that this conversation about keeping privacy was done on a computer or cell phone.

If someone is that worried about the Alexa device listening to them then I have the most amazing tip for that person and apparently something they have not thought of before. Go to the device, turn it around, annnnnnnnddd....... pull out the power cord. Tada. Now they are free to speak without Alexa listening while using their credit/debit cards, cell phones, computers, driving under intersection cameras, using home based internet and Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. Ahhh, privacy. Now if we can just get past the idea that Siri or Google is listening to every single word that you say on your phones......

 

[DisneyJoe]

"Hey Disney!" is a complimentary, and optional, new Guest perk coming soon to Disney Resort hotels."

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/hey-disney/

Don't forget about how Smart TV's have been spying on us for many years

How to stop your smart TV from spying on you (and why you should)

Your smart TV is spying on you. Here's how to stop it.

mashable.com

 

[drizgirl]

I love the irony that this conversation about keeping privacy was done on a computer or cell phone.

If someone is that worried about the Alexa device listening to them then I have the most amazing tip for that person and apparently something they have not thought of before. Go to the device, turn it around, annnnnnnnddd....... pull out the power cord. Tada. Now they are free to speak without Alexa listening while using their credit/debit cards, cell phones, computers, driving under intersection cameras, using home based internet and Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. Ahhh, privacy. Now if we can just get past the idea that Siri or Google is listening to every single word that you say on your phones......

That's the problem. People think that if you are willing to give up some privacy in some places, they should be willing to give it up in all cases.

I think big tech has earned the skepticism some have developed for it.

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

I love the irony that this conversation about keeping privacy was done on a computer or cell phone.

If someone is that worried about the Alexa device listening to them then I have the most amazing tip for that person and apparently something they have not thought of before. Go to the device, turn it around, annnnnnnnddd....... pull out the power cord. Tada. Now they are free to speak without Alexa listening while using their credit/debit cards, cell phones, computers, driving under intersection cameras, using home based internet and Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. Ahhh, privacy. Now if we can just get past the idea that Siri or Google is listening to every single word that you say on your phones......

Alexa IS listening to every word, literally. Your assumption of the setup is just that... an assumption, unless you have facts that it isn't hardwired. I was looking to see if anyone knows that the device CAN be unplugged, or is it hardwired somewhere in the room. That was the point of my post. If it wasn't an opt in type of thing, I want to know if we have the ability to turn the device off.

I find it funny how you condescend to someone who prefers to keep what privacy they still have, while you don't care. You don't see me condescending to those who don't care for giving up their privacy so willingly. I admitted that there are aspects of life where privacy has been stripped away, but again... "I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can"

 

[DCBaker]

Alexa IS listening to every word, literally. Your assumption of the setup is just that... an assumption, unless you have facts that it isn't hardwired. I was looking to see if anyone knows that the device CAN be unplugged, or is it hardwired somewhere in the room. That was the point of my post. If it wasn't an opt in type of thing, I want to know if we have the ability to turn the device off.

I find it funny how you condescend to someone who prefers to keep what privacy they still have, while you don't care. You don't see me condescending to those who don't care for giving up their privacy so willingly. I admitted that there are aspects of life where privacy has been stripped away, but again... "I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can"

Unclear if you can unplug the device, but Disney has said the microphone can be manually turned off.

 

[G00fyDad]

Alexa IS listening to every word, literally. Your assumption of the setup is just that... an assumption, unless you have facts that it isn't hardwired. I was looking to see if anyone knows that the device CAN be unplugged, or is it hardwired somewhere in the room. That was the point of my post. If it wasn't an opt in type of thing, I want to know if we have the ability to turn the device off.

I find it funny how you condescend to someone who prefers to keep what privacy they still have, while you don't care. You don't see me condescending to those who don't care for giving up their privacy so willingly. I admitted that there are aspects of life where privacy has been stripped away, but again... "I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can"

I have nothing to hide. And OF COURSE Alexa is listening to everything you say. I lost count how many times I see ads on my cell phone for things that I am just casually talking to my wife about. Guess what? No one cares. No one has come looking for me based on my political beliefs (that I shout LOUDLY about while watching the idiot-box) or any of the 1000's of other subjects that I speak about in near proximity one of my 6 Amazon devices in my home, my cell phone, or my Alexa enabled vehicle.

 

[G00fyDad]

Unclear if you can unplug the device, but Disney has said the microphone can be manually turned off.

I read that the camera and microphones are automatically disabled from the start. I doubt it will prevent someone from flipping out and unplugging it, or worse, cutting the cord physially.

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

I have nothing to hide. And OF COURSE Alexa is listening to everything you say. I lost count how many times I see ads on my cell phone for things that I am just casually talking to my wife about. Guess what? No one cares. No one has come looking for me based on my political beliefs (that I shout LOUDLY about while watching the idiot-box) or any of the 1000's of other subjects that I speak about in near proximity one of my 6 Amazon devices in my home, my cell phone, or my Alexa enabled vehicle.

This is actually pretty funny. The part about you having nothing to hide... do you think the government "trying" to guarantee people's rights to privacy is because they think everyone has something to hide? If that were the case, they WOULDN'T protect people's privacy. I'm about as straight an arrow as there is. I don't even cheat on my golf score... AND I like my privacy.

Let me ask you, do you care of people peep in your home windows? If you saw someone do that would you likely do something about it? If so, why? I mean... you have nothing to hide after all. Do you care if people go snooping through your stuff when unattended?

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

I read that the camera and microphones are automatically disabled from the start. I doubt it will prevent someone from flipping out and unplugging it, or worse, cutting the cord physially.

THIS is good news. Appreciate it.

 

[G00fyDad]

This is actually pretty funny. The part about you having nothing to hide... do you think the government "trying" to guarantee people's rights to privacy is because they think everyone has something to hide? If that were the case, they WOULDN'T protect people's privacy. I'm about as straight an arrow as there is. I don't even cheat on my golf score... AND I like my privacy.

Let me ask you, do you care of people peep in your home windows? If you saw someone do that would you likely do something about it? If so, why? I mean... you have nothing to hide after all. Do you care if people go snooping through your stuff when unattended?

My picture window in my house is WIDE open. And your comparison to someone listening to my conversations to someone going through my possessions that they are likely to steal is what is laughable.

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

My picture window in my house is WIDE open. And your comparison to someone listening to my conversations to someone going through my possessions that they are likely to steal is what is laughable.

Actually, I know your picture window is wide open. I like how you've re-arranged the furniture by the way. You might want to pick up that sock ball that's been behind the couch for the last week.

Well, we all have our own things I guess. Privacy is important to me... and most people I know come to think of it. I didn't realize how weird we all were.

 

[ppete1975]

Alexa IS listening to every word, literally. Your assumption of the setup is just that... an assumption, unless you have facts that it isn't hardwired. I was looking to see if anyone knows that the device CAN be unplugged, or is it hardwired somewhere in the room. That was the point of my post. If it wasn't an opt in type of thing, I want to know if we have the ability to turn the device off.

I find it funny how you condescend to someone who prefers to keep what privacy they still have, while you don't care. You don't see me condescending to those who don't care for giving up their privacy so willingly. I admitted that there are aspects of life where privacy has been stripped away, but again... "I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can"

They have announced that you will be able to unplug it, I forget the source and I am at work currently so cant dig too much right now

 

[ppete1975]

Does anyone have any information about the "Hey Disney" technology coming to the resorts? I just heard about this and find it quite troubling. I know a portion of the population loves to have A-L-E-X-A listening to everything that is said and happens in their homes, but I find that invasion of privacy disturbing. I hate to sound like every old person I've ever known, but I don't understand these younger generations... willing to give up all privacy for small wins. I understand that if you have a phone in your pocket you're already being tracked. I'm not willing to ride in a horse and buggy and don't plan to go off the grid completely, but I try to limit the data collected from/about me in any way I can.

I'm just wondering if "Hey Disney" will be a feature that is not optional, basically built into each room in some way, hard mounted and immobile? I'm hoping it will be a device that can be removed or thrown out the window, but I'd hate to assume. If Disney intends to listen to everything going on in rooms, I think they just told me that I will never stay on property again which will burst my Disney bubble.

If disney does introduce something like this, which I have no idea if they are, but they will absolutely have to offer a way to opt out. So many privacy issues if they don't..

according to disneys official website

"Hey Disney!" is a complimentary, and optional, new Guest perk coming soon to Disney Resort hotels.

____________________________
"For both Disney and Amazon, protecting the security and privacy of our guests is paramount," Soto said, noting that guests will have to opt in, not opt out, to use "Hey, Disney!"

Beyond having same privacy protections as other Amazon products and devices, Rubenson said: "The in-room experience in particular is designed with privacy in mind and so no audio is stored by default. Also just to be clear, customers don't log in with Amazon to use the experience, so no personal information, is transmitted about the guests at all when they interact with 'Hey, Disney!'"

►Privacy protection: 3 Amazon privacy settings you need to change right now

He noted that Echo microphones in hotel rooms can also be manually turned off.
__________________________
there is another source i cant find, that said they will be able to be plugged in or unplugged.

WORST CASE, I am sure you can tell they you want it removed.

But these devices are modified for guest privacy: Disney says the camera and calling features are disabled, and the speakers are inactive and muted when a guest enters a room. Guests will have to opt-in to enable the speaker.